Extrema Ratio RAOII Update Continued.......

Extrema Ratio's RAOII is a relatively recent model in their line up of heavy duty folders. With a more rounded grip

The upper surface of the RAO is very comfortable in the palm

 sporting larger radiuses on edges and of course a beefy drop point blade.

Ok so now I've been using continuously the RAOII from Extrema Ratio for over a year now.

If you're strapped for space and you want to have both a fixed blade and folder but only want to carry one knife, then the Extrema Ratio RAOII could be for you.

There are of course some draw backs to trying to have a folder and fixed blade in one combination.

The RAOII is not small, though despite this it will fit in your pocket if not in it's sheath, which by the way is an excellent carry system and comes complete with a diamond sharpening plate!

Chopping with this knife can become uncomfortable if you are not wearing gloves and this is primarily due to this region of the handle as shown in the 2 images below.

To be honest I wouldn't bother with the recessed areas here for finger placement. Yes they seem to fit my hand size perfectly ( glove size 8-9) with my fingers naturally resting in these groves and are ok for twisting the blade into something giving you better grip. BUT for  heavier chopping, I'd like to see the 6082 alloy sides continue at the same thickness as the rest of the handle sides. This would, I feel add much more comfort for a very very small gain in overall weight.
Unlike a regular sized folder, which is usually ok to peel vegetables and fruit with, the RAOII with it's wide blade makes this task a little slower as your hand is spread more than if it was holding a narrower bladed knife.

Using the Extrema Ratio RAOII to peel sweet potato

What are the advantages to such a large folder?

You can chop things without fear of damaging this drop point blade. I say blade and NOT mechanism, as the mechanism will be the weak point if enough abuse is dealt out and it is steel against hard Aluminium alloy. Mind you alloys in the 6000 series are perfect for really taking huge abuse as these alloys such as 6065 are used in the climbing industry and can take big loads and 6082 is supposedly even tougher and currently the strongest in the 6000 series of aluminum alloys.

You can twist with the tip of this knife without fear of it breaking. Why because this drop point blade is just like a fixed blade drop point.

I reckon there is no tropical fruit that can't be processed with the Extrema Ratio RAOII. 
Hacking off tree limbs if need be can also be achieved with this heavy duty folder with the safety pin inserted (for complete assurance).

Hacking off a 6cm thick green freshly fallen cotton wood branch. Yes Cotton wood
is a softwood.

How is Extrema Ratio RAOII at cutting up meat and or fish?

Cutting up the days catch!?

The RAOII cuts up fish just fine. The blade is thick but not too thick to make a mess of cutting up fish.
How about meat? Stay tuned!